You are correct on both counts. Many of us prefer the tried and try method of bed leveling better called bed tramming.
There are plenty of printers that also have automatic bed leveling . a PRUSSA mk3 comes with this feature standard. there is also the bl touch that is a common bed probe. there are several sensors that can do this some are mechanical switches. some are capacitive and some are simply electrical contacts. this is as far as I know all open source so you can not patent an existing technology.
Nope pretty much off base on current technology. Much you have to learn .
and also, what "future patent" would you most like to see?
Pattents are often hard to get and easily cercumventented and benefit one person or company.
There are several companies that are open sourced and do quite well. most of the folks here prefer the open sourced pattern.
Soliddoodle 4 stock w glass bed------Folger Tech Prusa 2020 upgraded to and titan /aero extruder mirror bed
FT5 with titan/ E3D Aero------MP mini select w glass bed
MP Utimate maker pro-W bondtech extruder
Marlin/Repetier Host/ Slic3r and Cura